Yvette O’Dowd has been a passionate reader since childhood and her first pregnancy in the 1980s saw her consuming the local library collections of books about pregnancy and childbirth, child development and infant and child care. Having ignited a life-long interest in these subjects, Yvette went on to work in the retail arm of the Nursing Mothers’ Association of Australia (now known as The Australian Breastfeeding Association) from 1995 - 2000. This included the recommendation and sale of books on breastfeeding and human lactation, parenting and related titles to both parents and health professionals.
From 2008 - 2013, Yvette ran The Breastfeeding Centre In Dandenong, Victoria - the Victorian Branch Office of the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Here she curated and maintained an extensive library of books available to both members and volunteers. When establishing the Southern Natural Parenting Network in 2014, Yvette had a vision of a collection of books available to members and the wider community, establishing a community library on wheels available at meets and events. Yvette’ family are resigned to her extensive personal collection, however the evolution to audio and digital formats has limted the physical space required somewhat!
Below you will find Yvette’s recommended titles
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Because I Said So
In this thoughtful and accessible book, Sarah Ockwell-Smith dismantles traditional authoritarian parenting methods, arguing for a shift toward connection-based, emotionally intelligent approaches. She explores the origins of obedience-focused parenting, its long-term effects, and offers practical tools for raising confident, cooperative children without coercion.
Why Your Baby’s Sleep Matters
This compact and informative book offers an evidence-based, gentle perspective on infant sleep. Ockwell-Smith explains why babies sleep the way they do and helps parents understand what’s normal, what’s not, and how to respond compassionately.
The Science of Parenting
This accessible guide draws on the latest neuroscience to explain how early experiences shape a child’s brain development. Margot Sunderland offers practical strategies for promoting emotional wellbeing, regulating behaviour, and building strong parent-child connections — all grounded in science and compassion.